Despite being one of the sport’s most outspoken opponents of testosterone-replacement therapy (TRT) use, Michael Bisping is apparently taking the high road.

Bisping, of course, suffered a second-round TKO loss to Vitor Belfort at this past month’s UFC on FX 7 event in Brazil. Afterward, it was revealed that Belfort had been granted a therapeutic-use exemption (TUE) for TRT prior to the contest.

Bisping has not spoken on the matter since UFC officials first made the announcement, but he today posted an official statement on his website in which he credited Belfort for his performance but also wondered why he would be eligible for a TUE following his 2006 suspension by the Nevada State Athletic Commission after testing positive for the steroid 4-Hydroxytestosterone.

“As I said right after the fight, I lost because I made a mistake, and Vitor took advantage of it,” Bisping said. “It sucks. I don’t like it, but that was the result. I lost. Bottom line.

“Over the past couple years, and even right before the fight, I have made my views on TRT very, very clear. I don’t feel that I need to go into depth about it again right now. All I have to add about this specific instance is that it is very disappointing that someone who was caught cheating with testosterone in the past, now gets to use testosterone legally. A well-known side effect of steroids is that it reduces testosterone, so I don’t understand how it would make sense to then grant someone an exemption to then increase testosterone.”

Bisping had been expected to earn a title shot with a victory over Belfort, but he instead must settle for a UFC 159 bout A Alan Belcher. A perennial contender, Bisping has just five career losses, and three (Belfort, Chael Sonnen, Dan Henderson) have come against fighters who have been granted a TUE for testosterone use.

Nevertheless, Bisping declined to complain and instead turned his eyes on the future.

“I am not here to make excuses or cry over spilled milk,” Bisping said. “I fight in the best organization in the world, the UFC, and am very excited to work and earn a title fight – the right way. That process starts by whooping Alan Belcher’s ass at UFC 159 on Saturday, April 27, live on pay-per-view.”

As MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) previously reported, Bisping will host a UFC Fight Club Q&A session at next week’s UFC on FUEL TV 7 event in London.

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